End of 2009 Coverage

Cindy Zimmerman2009 Conference, Audio

This will conclude our coverage of the 2009 National Biodiesel Conference in San Francisco. All of the posted audio from the conference is now available in podcast form for subscriber downloading by clicking here. There are a total of 17 audio podcast files this year including interviews, presentations and press conferences. There are over 450 photos in the Flicker Photo … Read More

Evening with Emily and Company

Cindy Zimmerman2009 Conference, Video

Wednesday’s reception was billed as an Evening With Emily Richards but the crowd got more than their money’s worth as they were entertained by many talented musicians. Emily is just incredible by herself, with amazing pipes and keyboard skills, and she has been appearing at the National Biodiesel Conference since 2004. She was accompanied once again this year by guitarist … Read More

City of St. Francis Gets Even Greener

Cindy Zimmerman2009 Conference

The patron saint of the city by the bay must be proud of its incredible environmental achievements. That would be St. Francis of Assisi, of course, who is the patron saint of all things environmental. The last award to be presented at the National Biodiesel Conference was the Initiative award, given to San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom. In this largest … Read More

To Infineon and Beyond

Cindy Zimmerman2009 Conference

One of the pre-conference highlights for the National Biodiesel Conference in San Francisco was “Racecar Driver for a Day.” NBB Chairman Ed Hegland was among those who suited up at the Infineon Raceway in Sonoma to fly around the track in a 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI Racing Series vehicle and he absolutely loved the experience. “I got to do a … Read More

Optimism for Biodiesel Market

Cindy Zimmerman2009 Conference, Audio

The future for biodiesel is brighter than some might think right now in this economy, according to officials with Renewable Energy Group (REG). Jon Scharingson with REG gave an overview about the potential for biodiesel during the National Biodiesel Conference this week. “We’re pretty optimistic about the development of the biodiesel market in the US for 2009,” Jon says. “We … Read More

Biodiesel Governing Board

Cindy Zimmerman2009 Conference, Audio

Members of the National Biodiesel Board governing board were recognized during the final session of the biodiesel conference in San Francisco Wednesday for their support and leadership of the organization and the industry. They include – from left to right – Chairman Ed Hegland, Vice-Chairman Gary Haer, Ed Ulch, Greg Anderson, Darryl Brinkmann, Greg Hopkins, Kris Kappenman, Denny Mauser, Doug … Read More

More to Come

Cindy Zimmerman2009 Conference

I have lots more interviews to post, but right now I have to head out to catch a plane back to the frigid Midwest – leaving my heart in beautiful San Francisco! Until I can get more posts up, please enjoy the 455 photos in the album – that has been updated through the final general session. Stay tuned – … Read More

Biodiesel Inspiration and Pioneer Awards

Cindy Zimmerman2009 Conference, Audio

Two of the last awards to be presented at the National Biodiesel Conference Wednesday were given for Inspiration and industry Pioneer. As the Inspiration award winners, Bryan Peterson and Pete Bethune shared their inspiring stories with the conference this morning. Fourteen years ago Bryan Peterson made his way around the world in a small boat powered by a little-known fuel … Read More

Rolling Stone Rocks for Biodiesel

Cindy Zimmerman2009 Conference, Audio

A highlight of the last evening of the National Biodiesel Conference was an appearance by Rolling Stones keyboardist Chuck Leavell, sponsored by New Holland. Chuck is not just an awesome keyboard player, he is also an avid environmentalist, a tree farmer and a proponent of biofuels. He also recently started the Mother Nature Network, which just launched last month and … Read More

Red and White and Green All Over

Cindy Zimmerman2009 Conference, Audio

Founded in 1892, the historic Red and White Fleet is legendary for its premiere San Francisco Cruises. Family owned, the Red and White Fleet is committed to environmental sustainability and community education – and to that end the cruises run on B20. The fleet sponsored a trip for biodiesel board members and the media to tell how and why they … Read More

Many Shades of Green

Cindy Zimmerman2009 Conference

Being green for the biodiesel industry doesn’t just mean producing a renewable, alternative fuel. It means being green in many other ways as well. For example, one of the presenters at the conference this year wasn’t actually on site here in San Francisco. North Dakota Governor John Hoeven presented his remarks via remote telecast through a technology called LifeSize, which … Read More

Indirect Land Use Challenge

Cindy Zimmerman2009 Conference, Audio

Life cycle analyst Don O’Connor presented some of his assessments of indirect land use and how it could impact the biodiesel industry during Tuesday’s general session at the National Biodiesel Conference. O’Conner says that life cycle assessment is a very challenging and complicated process. “The first thing that is important is that life cycle analysis needs to be relative,” O’Connor … Read More

Sustainability Task Force Update

Cindy Zimmerman2009 Conference, Audio

This time last year, Emily Bockian Landsburg with Philadelphia Fry-o-Diesel was just appointed as chairman of the newly-approved Sustainability Task Force for the biodiesel industry. There were no other members and just a vague idea of what they hoped to accomplish. This year, Emily stood before the conference to provide an update on what the task force has accomplished in … Read More

Emphasis on Sustainability Pleases Daryl Hannah

Cindy Zimmerman2009 Conference, Audio

Actress and activist Daryl Hannah has been a fixture at the National Biodiesel Conference since the very beginning and one of her major areas of interest when it comes to renewable fuels and the environmental is sustainability, so she was thrilled with the sustainable theme during today’s general session at the conference. “I’ve been bringing that up every year and … Read More

Biodiesel is the Only One for Melissa Etheridge

Cindy Zimmerman2009 Conference, Video

Singer/song writer Melissa Etheridge has been a hit maker for two decades with songs like “I’m the Only One,” “Like the Way I Do,” “Breathe,” and “Bring Me Some Water.” Today, she was a certified hit at the National Biodiesel Conference with her inspirational story of how her battle with breast cancer led her to want to make a difference … Read More

It’s Cool to be Green

Cindy Zimmerman2009 Conference, Audio

This fast and fancy concept car belongs to Tonight show host Jay Leno and it runs on 100 percent biodiesel. Steve Hofmann with Jay Leno’s Garage in Burbank is here at the National Biodiesel Conference with the Eco-Jet – showing it off to expo attendees and explaining just why it exists. “Jay has a keen interest in technology,” Steve told … Read More

VW Motorsports to be Fueled with Biodiesel

Cindy Zimmerman2009 Conference

The biggest announcement at the National Biodiesel Conference today was that B5 will be the official fuel of the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI Racing Series. The series is designed for young people seeking to become professional race car drivers – the “next generation of motorsports.” According to the VW Motorsport website site, the competition involves “30 young drivers racing 30 … Read More

Daryl Steals the Showcase

Cindy Zimmerman2009 Conference, Video

There were lots of vehicles on display at the Biodiesel Vehicle Showcase, but the one that stole the show was actress Daryl Hannah’s beloved El Camino – mainly because Daryl was there herself to show it off. Daryl, who is a huge biodiesel fan and an avid environmentalist, says this is her second biodiesel-powered El Camino. “My car loves to … Read More

Two Industry Partnership Awards

Cindy Zimmerman2009 Conference

National Biodiesel Board Vice Chairman Gary Haer (right) with Renewable Energy Group (REG) had the pleasure of presenting this year’s Industry Partnership Awards to fuel quality program managers in two states – Ronald Hayes (left) of Missouri and Randy Jennings (center) from Tennessee. “The award is going to two people who have really made a difference in our quality efforts,” … Read More

NBB Impact Award Winner

Cindy Zimmerman2009 Conference

The winner of this year’s Impact Award from the National Biodiesel Board is Dr. Randall von Wedel of CytoCulture International, who has been instrumental in San Francisco’s biodiesel development. He helped to narrate a city tour video that was shown at the conference this morning, and moderated the panel discussion with the San Francisco city leaders. NBB CEO Joe Jobe … Read More